Long-Distance Care Package Ideas: What to Put in the Box
A care package is a small way of saying: I'm thinking about you, and I made this just for you. Opening a box that someone packed by hand is a very different feeling from reading a message.
Whether you're sending it to a partner, a friend, a child studying abroad, or a parent in another country, here's what to put in a long-distance care package, and how to make it feel like more than a collection of snacks.
1. Snacks and sweets from home
Food is often what people miss first. Pick the snacks, sweets or tea they can't easily find where they live. Check the destination country's rules on sending food before you pack it, since some items are restricted.
2. Handwritten letters
A card, or a few short notes to open on different days. Handwriting travels well, and people tend to keep it.
3. A small piece of art that fits in the box
Art doesn't have to be big to be a gift. The Two City Poster Set (from €69) is two separate prints, one per city, so it suits a smaller box, and one print can go in the box while the other stays on your wall. See Personalised Poster Sets
If you'd like a canvas, our smallest size is 30x45 cm, which is a good fit for a package. The Two-City Skyline Canvas (from €99) blends your city and theirs into one piece. You see a free digital preview before it's printed. Create Your Artwork
Bonus: A Two City Landscape Canvas
A softer alternative to a skyline. Their city and yours are blended into one flowing landscape, connected by the rivers and waterways that run through them. Same process: choose the two cities, get a free digital preview, and request changes before it's printed. See the Two City Landscape Canvas
4. Printed photos
A handful of real photos, printed, with a short note on the back of each. Easy to stick on a fridge or a desk.
5. Something to wear or hold
A soft scarf, a cosy pair of socks, a hoodie you've worn. Something that feels like you, or like home.
6. A playlist or a book you both read
Write the playlist on a card or add a QR code. Send a copy of the book you're both reading, with bookmarks in different places so you can talk about it on calls.
7. A countdown to the next visit
A small paper chain, a calendar with the days crossed out, or one envelope for each week. Distance feels shorter when it has an end date.
8. A few "open when" notes
Open when you miss me, open when you had a bad day, open when you can't sleep. Keep each note short, and mean it.
Packing tips
Put fragile items in the middle, wrapped in clothes or paper. Add a list of what's inside so nothing gets forgotten under the tissue paper. And write the first note on top, so it's the first thing they see when they open the box.
For specific people and occasions, see our gifts for a long-distance boyfriend, gifts for a long-distance girlfriend, gifts for family who live far away and gifts for a long-distance best friend. If the box is for someone studying abroad, there's also our guide to gifts for an exchange student.
FAQ
What should I put in a long-distance care package?
A mix of small things: snacks from home, handwritten letters, printed photos, something to wear or hold, and one keepsake like a print or poster. Aim for things that feel personal, not expensive.
What artwork fits in a care package?
The Two City Poster Set is two separate prints, so it suits a smaller box. Our smallest canvas size is 30x45 cm, which also works for a package.
Can I send food internationally?
Sometimes, but rules vary by country, and some foods are restricted. Check the destination country's rules before you pack anything edible.
Can you ship the artwork straight to them?
We ship worldwide, so a custom artwork can go directly to the person you're sending it to.
How do I make a care package feel personal?
Add handwriting. A short note in every layer of the box, or a note on the back of every photo, does more than any single item.
